Android Tips and Tricks

For years, Java was the one official language for Android development. While other options were available through alternative tools like Unity or Xamarin, Java with the Android SDK was still the clear choice for those wanting to learn Android development the “proper” way. Then came Kotlin for Android. Also read:  I want to develop Android apps – What languages should I learn? As of 7 May 2019, Kotlin has been the official “preferred” language for Android development according to Google. It has been available as a built-in feature of Android Studio and an official language for Android for longer than that. So, should you use Kotlin for Android development? How is it different from Java? What is the learning curve like? Let’s find out. Kotlin for Android development vs Java Kotlin is similar to Java in many ways and runs on the Java Virtual Machine. It is 100% interoperable with Java, and thus there is not hit in performance when choosing to use Kotlin for Android development, ...

Credit: Adam Sinicki / Android Authority If you have any interest in game development, then learning Unity should be your top priority. What is Unity? Simply, Unity is the tool used by a large number of game developers to create and power their creations. Unity software is powerful, extremely easy to use, and free until you start making the big bucks. And there’s no catch here. Unity is not a pared-down “game builder,” but rather a professional tool used by some of the biggest names in the industry. Titles developed in Unity include: Ori and the Blind Forest / Will of the Wisps INSIDE Monument Valley 1 & 2 Temple Run Deus Ex: The Fall Escape Plan Angry Birds Superhot Super Mario Run Subnautica Bone Works My Friend Pedro There is simply no compelling reason for a developer to make everything themselves, when they can save months or even years by using a ready-made engine. For indie developers this is game-changing, as it means they can compete with much bigger...

Credit: Adam Sinicki / Android Authority Ever wanted to learn how to make a game in Unity? Unity is a powerful, cross-platform game engine, and development environment that powers the vast majority of games on the Google Play Store. Through Unity, users gain access to ready-made physics, rendering, controls, and more. This can drastically accelerate the development process. It’s thanks to tools like Unity that indie developers are finally able to compete with big studios again. Also read:  The beginner’s guide to Android game development: everything you need to know That could mean you! So, read on to learn how to make a game in Unity. How to make a basic game in Unity – setting up This tutorial will assume that you are already familiar with what Unity software is and how it works. If you need more background on that and want advice on how to navigate the admittedly-crowded UI, then check out our introduction to Unity. For this tutorial, we are going to develop a top-do...

Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority After a brief delay, Android 11 Beta is now available. You can grab it here . This means it’s well and truly “go time” for developers who need to ensure that their apps are in tip-top shape to support the new operating system before the full roll-out. And with this update coming hot off the heels of Android Studio 4.0, the new Google Play Console beta, and Google Play Asset delivery, it looks as though we’re going to have So what do you need to know? What’s new from the previous developer previews? As always, Google has a blog post detailing everything at length . But read on and we’ll take a brief overview of what’s likely to be relevant for most developers, and recap on what we already know about Android 11 from the developer previews. New Android 11 Beta features for developers Google says that its aim for Android 11 is for it to be “people-centric” and “expressive.” To that end, the new features largely revolve around quick...

Learning Android app development may seem like a daunting task, but it can open up a huge world of possibilities. You could create the next “hit app” that changes the way we work or interact with each other. Maybe you’ll develop a tool that you can use yourself to improve your workflow. Or perhaps you’ll just gain a new skill that lands you a great job! Also read: Making an app with no programming experience: What are your options? Whatever the case, learning Android app development might not be as tough as you think, as long as you understand what all the different moving parts are for, and have a roadmap to guide you through. This post is that road map! Step 1: Downloading the tools you need for Android app development First, you need to create your development environment so that your desktop is ready to support your Android development goals. For that, you will need Android Studio and the Android SDK. Thankfully, these both come packaged together in a single download that...